HE IS STRANGELY FAMILIAR

The drive was smooth and quiet. This is one thing about road trips James won't understand. The driver had the music soft-tuned and the air, conditioned to the right body need. James will never do that. He will ensure the music is tuned to max, with his windows all scrolled down. Well, James would have provided us with snacks and more, but Granny is too decent to eat in Mr. Waldeen's dear car.

The road is familiar. It looks like the route James has taken during our visit to that clinic months ago. It is. I am sure. Though at a point, the driver went off the tarred road unto a lonely path. He drove carefully into the noiseless town for a long time.

"It is unlike the city, my dear. It is oddly calm here."

Granny must have seen my curious look out of the window. If I wasn't seated beside Granny, I would fear for my safety.

"I noticed."

I responded to Granny's explanation with my eyes fixed on the road. The city isn't noisy though, it just doesn't have trees and shrubs settling on both sides of the road.

"We are almost there." Granny assured.

I trust her. She isn't James. If she says we are almost there, we are.

I relax back on my seat and yawn.

"You must be tired."

"It is more of hunger."

"Oh, dear!" Granny cried.

"It is a long drive, Granny. Mr. Ben must be hungry too."

I do not want her making a scene, ain't the only one with an empty belly here. I am not a baby. Being seated for hours without snacks is enough reason for anyone to be famished.

" I am sure," she agreed.

Mr. Ben is a silent one. He hasn't spoken a word since we began our little journey. He still didn't part his lips at the mention of his name. Soon, he drove into a yard that looks freshly weeded.

"Here we are!" Granny announced at the stop of the car.

It is an old bungalow with walls in urgent need of repainting. There is another bungalow a few steps opposite it. It doesn't look abandoned like Granny's except that it doesn't seem to have any noisy occupants. These bungalows are the only buildings in sight. Everywhere is oddly chilly.

I walked over to the trunk to get our luggage but was stopped by Mr. Ben.

"I will get them Mr. Greg," he said.

It must be a sign of respect for the advanced to address a young so formally.

"Greg. Just Greg...And I will pick my bag." I smiled at him to make him more comfortable.

He seems tensed speaking to me. I understand.

I only look physically calm and gentle, not my spoken words. I barely talk to my father's employees. If I decided to speak to any, my words are miles away from gentility. I never mean to be uptight, but I sound like such to people.

In the house, Granny quickly fixed us lunch after our settling. It wasn't a big one, but it was enough to beat the rumbling in my belly. She ushered me to a room that she had prepared after lunch and instructed me to have a rest. I wasn't tired as she thinks, I was only bored to ashes during the drive. With the food, I am up to any task if only Granny can hear me out.

The room is nothing compared to my room back home. The entire building is the size of my bedroom. The bathroom isn't suited for the room. I have to share the bathroom with Mr. Ben and Granny at intervals. I wouldn't have known bathrooms ain't always a personal room in a residential house if not here. I do not feel sticky, but I got need to change to more simple wear.

After the quick change, I began to unpack my bag. I carefully brought out my camera, this place will give me a lot of photos, I can feel it. The noises in the living room explain how busy Granny and Mr. Ben are with the unpacking as well.

Mr. Ben is familiar with things around him. He has been the one to drive Granny down here at the same period over the years. He'd return to the mansion three-four days after he drives Granny here and comes again at the end of her stay to bring her back. He would stay all through this time because of me. Dad had claimed not to let me off without a driver but we both know I do not need a driver. He had had Mr. Ben stay for a sort of security.

I got engrossed in unpacking my clothes when a thunderous sound emerged outside the yard. I dropped the shirt I was unfolding to hang in the faded-looking wardrobe to see the cause of the sound.

I walked to the window and slightly rolled the green flowered curtain to a side. The other bungalow is a clear view from here. And there, I see him on a black power motorbike removing his helmet.

The sound must be that of his bike. And this is him, Nicholas, who Granny spoke of during lunch. She had intended to bring him some food and appreciate his weeding her yard for she knows there isn't anyone else to have done it. He does it every year though. But he was out of the house at that hour.

I stood watching him. He strangely caught my attention. The way he removed his helmet, flipped out of the bike and walked to the door was a slow motion. I couldn't stop looking at him. Something about him gave me chills and I found myself smiling.

He halted at his doorway and glanced over at Granny's building. The two buildings aren't so close to each other but from this room, he looks just a step away. His eyes were the same as the grey t-shirt he had inside a Jacket. He unlocked his door and glanced again at Granny's before he shut the door behind him.

I stood aimlessly staring at where he disappeared before a knock on the door brought me out of my wonderland. I frowned. I'd not entertain people in my bedroom, it is my privacy.

"Greg dear, I brought you some apples."

Granny spoke from the door when I ignored the knock.

The door is pretty unlocked but I walked to it to let her in. I don't think I want to say 'come in' or anything that will show I am glad to welcome her. I took the plate of peeled and sliced apples from her.

"Thank you."

"I knew you wouldn't be resting. So I brought you some to keep you busy."

"Thank you...For not giving me a broom at least. I think I prefer this keeping me busy,"Granny chuckled and stepped further into the room. Only Granny finds my every serious word funny.

"It was my daughter's room. This must be small for you. I am sorry."

Oh! I forgot I don't own this room. Guess my 'out of feet' rule won't work here. Granny in the mansion, will never climb the stairs to my room. Not because she is too old to use a stair, but my room isn't one to knock on.

Yes, the room is small for me. It can barely occupy me but she doesn't need to apologize. It is just as small as I want.

"Granny, it is comfortable."

She smiled. "I am happy you followed me here. Thank you dear." I nodded. "I will be out there if you need anything."

"I do need extra hangers for my clothes."

"I will bring you more."

"Thank you."

I rose immediately after Granny left the room, to the window to see if he is out again. And great heavens! he is squatting beside his motorbike, doing whatever to it. I fetched my camera, I don't know why I did but before I could stop myself, I began taking different angles of shots.

Happy I followed Granny.

He stood at his full height some minutes later, staring over Granny's house. At first, I thought he saw me or heard the shuttling sounds of my camera, but no, he was staring at Granny who is walking towards him. I am sure he won't be aware of me, I hid well behind the curtain and I began to capture a series of his full height.

He is handsome. I haven't seen anyone as handsome. I always thought James is handsome but right now, James isn't close to the trophy. He moved to perch on his bike as Granny carefully walk closer. He smiled. He smiled as Granny called out to him. Granny was loud enough to my hearing. His smiles ain't so happy but that little movement of the cheek muscle gave him away to the moon.

I am glad I captured it. I took a quick review of my shots. I feel proud. I perfectly captured his glory from this distance. The shots were clear. I slide over a few more photos and smile each time I meet his unconvinced smile. Seeing him talking with Granny, he looks so calm and undisturbed. I couldn't tell what they are talking about, they must be catching up.

I left the window to my bag. I brought out my laptop, ignoring the clothes on the bed, I sat to power it. I quickly labeled a new folder, 'muse', moved all his photos to it, and secured it possessively.

And then, my phone beeped on an unexpected video call.